Pack and Track

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a discreet luggage tracking and surveillance system having a replaceable zipper pull and interior retaining fastener capable of communicating with each other. The zipper pull and fastening member have aesthetic designs generally similar to that of existing zipper pulls and fastening members such that the replacements are indiscreet. The zipper pull has a touch sensor, power system, GPS, and system for communicating with the retaining fastener. The fastening member contains a camera, GPS, touch sensor, system for communicating with the zipper pull, and power system. The touch sensors are adapted to turn on the retaining fastener when either touch sensor is touched. Once activated, the retaining fastener records pictures, video and sound and transmits the gathered information from the camera and GPS along with date and time stamps to a database that can be accessed if the user&#39;s luggage or valuables have been stolen or lost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to security and tracking systems.More specifically, it relates to discreet luggage tracking andsurveillance devices.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Checked luggage is a multi-billion dollar industry and yet 26 millionpieces of luggage go missing every year. Recent increased securitymeasures prevent travelers from locking their luggage when using varioustransportation ports, such as airports. When traveling through thesetransportation ports luggage is regularly searched by unknown securitypersonnel and too often valuables become lost or stolen.

Many searches are conducted in closed rooms lacking video surveillancemaking it nearly impossible to identify the perpetrator. Additionally anowner may be unaware that his/her valuables have been stolen until it istoo late because of the extend period of separation between owner andluggage and the hectic nature of traveling. Recovering stolen valuablesand identifying perpetrators has become extremely difficult.

Accordingly, what is needed is a simple means for adapting luggage withan effective security system to aid in locating an individual's luggageand providing evidence to the identity of the perpetrator. However, inview of the art considered as a whole at the time the present inventionwas made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field ofthis invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.

All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in areference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent orcontrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definitionof that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term inthe reference does not apply.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaimthese technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimedinvention may encompass one or more of the conventional technicalaspects discussed herein.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems anddeficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it iscontemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing otherproblems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, theclaimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited toaddressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussedherein.

In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which thisspecification is concerned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made tothe following detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retaining fastener of the luggagesecurity system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retaining fastener attached toretaining straps.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the retaining fastener.

FIG. 4 is a bottom exploded view of the retaining fastener.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the zipper pull of the luggage securitysystem.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the zipper pull attaching to a zipper.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the latch member of the luggage securitysystem.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the latch member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention is a discreet luggage tracking and surveillancesystem having a replaceable zipper pull and a replaceable interiorretaining fastener capable of communicating with each other andtransmitting data in a manner known by a person having ordinary skill inthe art. The zipper pull has an aesthetic design generally similar tothat of existing zipper pulls such that a thief would be unaware of thatzipper pull of the present invention is anything other than a simplestructure providing a user with a handle to aid in opening a zipper. Thezipper pull of the present invention contains a fastener such that itcan be easily attached to an existing zipper structure when the existingzipper pull has been removed. Additionally, the zipper pull has a touchsensor, antenna, power system, GPS, and system for communicating withthe retaining fastener.

The interior retaining fastener has an aesthetic design generallysimilar to that of existing fastener members attached to fasteningstraps found inside most luggage. The interior retaining fastener has aconnection feature adapted to indiscreetly replace an existing fastenermember. The retaining fastener includes a photo and video camera,preferably a low-light wide angle photo and HD video camera with builtin image stabilization, embedded date/time stamp, and audio recording.The retaining fastener also contains a GPS, a system for communicatingwith the zipper pull, and a transmission system. Moreover, the retainingfastener contains a power system having an awake and sleep mode, wherethe sleep mode is the default mode to reduce power consumption andconforms with FAA and TSA requirements for inflight electronics. Theretaining fastener may contain a USB port to allow for easy rechargingof the power system. In a certain embodiment the retaining fastener mayalso contain a touch sensor capable of shifting the retaining fastenerto awake mode when the touch sensor detects a human being touching theretaining fastener.

The retaining fastener may also contain an additional photo and/or videocamera on the surface of the retaining fastener that is facing downwardstowards the contents of the piece of luggage when the retaining fasteneris locked and securing the contents of the piece of luggage. Thisensures that images of a potential thief will be captured if theretaining fastener were to be flipped upside down from the desiredorientation.

In a certain embodiment, the retaining fastener may be lockable to aidin preventing theft of valuables secured by the retaining straps, butwill also contain a key hole accessible by a Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) master key. In such an embodiment the system maycontain an indicator, transmission, and/or notification to a user, knownby a person having ordinary skill in the art, to confirm that the masterkey was used to unlock the retaining fastener. In a certain embodimentthe retaining fastener contains a touch screen key pad, known by aperson having ordinary skill in the art, for locking and unlocking Suchan embodiment may also utilize “locked” and “unlocked” icons whichalternately illuminate, depending on the status of the lock, to indicateto a user the position of the lock. This lock may be adapted for remotelocking and unlocking capabilities known to a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

When the zipper pull's touch sensor is activated the zipper pullcommunicates, preferably wirelessly, with the retaining fastener causingthe retaining fastener to shift to awake mode. The retaining fastenerremains in awake mode for a predetermined length of time. Once in awakemode, the GPS is activated and the cameras on the retaining fastenerbegin recording audio, video and/or a plurality of images. The GPSautomatically transmits the location of the retaining fastener, to adatabase and/or a user's account, at a predetermined time before theretaining fastener shifts back to sleep mode. The camera recordings arealso automatically transmitted, via the transmission system known by aperson having ordinary skill in the art, to a database at apredetermined time before the retaining fastener shifts back to sleepmode. In a certain embodiment the information sent to the database isorganized based on the specific zipper pull and retaining fastener fromwhich the information was sent. Each zipper pull and retaining fastenermay have identifying information contained in the transmission toassociate a particular owner with the gathered information. In a certainembodiment, the transmitted information will be sent to a databaseaccessible only by the proper authorities to reduce the risk ofvigilante actions and keep the identity of innocent search personnelprivate. However, the system may provide users with alerts that thesystem has been activated and information was transmitted. The alertsmay be transmitted through a process known to a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

In a certain embodiment, the zipper pull and retaining fastener arelinked to a user account and interactive computer software. Upon arrivalat the user's destination, the software allows the user to recordwhether his/her luggage and all belongings are in his/her possession. Ifthe user indicates that the user is in possession, all transmitted datafrom the preceding trip is removed from the database. If the userindicates that his belongings were not returned, the information will besaved to allow the proper authorities to utilize the information. Incertain embodiments, the software may ask additional information thatmay aid authorities in their investigation. Additionally, the useraccount and interactive software may allow a user to identify severalpieces of luggage and respective security systems.

Moreover, the system may allow remote access to the fastening member andthe zipper pull using a receiver known to a person having ordinary skillin the art. Remote access will allow a user or the proper authorities toactivate either device in the event that one of the devices fails toperform as designed. The user may also have the ability to remotelyaccess the GPS of either device to confirm the location of his/herluggage at any point while the luggage is not in his/her possession. TheGPS may use provided Wi-Fi services to transmit the location in a mannerknown to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the GPSmay utilize a processor that will enable the unit to operate inchallenging GPS environments, such as indoor tracking or when theend-user is on the move. This high level of GPS performance is achievedby using innovative GPS firmware which can detect changes in context,temperature, and satellite signals, and opportunistically update itsinternal parameters which enables near-continuous navigation bymaintaining and opportunistically updating its internal parameters whileconsuming mere microwatts of battery power.

A certain embodiment may utilize any touch sensor, including but notlimited to pressure and heat sensors, known by a person having ordinaryskill in the art. The present invention may use any systems, preferablywireless, for communicating between the zipper pull and the retainingfastener, which is known by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Acertain embodiment may also use any camera, GPS, and power system knownto a person having ordinary skill in the art. A certain embodiment mayreplace the zipper pull device of the present invention with a latchmember device for luggage containing latches instead of zippers. Thelatch member has all of the features of the zipper pull and performs thesame functions.

In a certain embodiment the power systems of the zipper pull andretaining fastener may be capable of converting solar or kinetic energyto electric energy using any conversion technique known to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art. The devices may also notify the userwhen their respective power supply is low.

Glossary of Claim Terms

Awake Mode: is a power mode providing increased power distribution fromsleep mode.

GPS: is a global positioning system.

Latch Member: is any fastener used to close luggage other than a zipper.

Luggage: is any suitcase, bag, or container used to carry or transportpersonal belongings.

Retaining Fastener: is a device attached to retaining straps typicallyfound in luggage.

Sleep Mode: is a power mode intended to the reduce power distributionrate from the maximum rate.

Zipper Pull: is a device attached to a zipper which provides a user witha handle-like means to aid in opening the zipper.

The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from theforegoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changesmay be made in the above construction without departing from the scopeof the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in theforegoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage security system, comprising: a piece ofluggage having an open and closed position; a zipper pull having a powersupply and a touch sensor capable of detecting a human being touchingthe zipper pull; an interior retaining fastener, the retaining fastenerfurther including: a power supply; being adapted to connect withinterior retaining straps; a camera capable of capturing a plurality ofimages and video of the outside environment when the piece of luggage isin the open position; an awake mode in which the camera captures theplurality of images and video; a sleep mode in which the camera does notcapture images or video; a communication system capable of communicatingwith the zipper pull; and the zipper pull having a communication systemcapable of adjusting the fastening member's power mode to awake when thezipper pull has been touched by a human being.
 2. The luggage securitysystem according to claim 1, further comprising: the fastening memberhaving a GPS.
 3. The luggage security system according to claim 2,further comprising: the fastening member capable of transmitting GPSinformation.
 4. The luggage security system according to claim 1,further comprising: the zipper pull having a GPS.
 5. The luggagesecurity system according to claim 4, further comprising: the zipperpull's touch sensor adapted to activate the GPS when touched by a humanbeing.
 6. The luggage security system according to claim 4, furthercomprising: the zipper pull adapted to transmit GPS information.
 7. Theluggage security system according to claim 1, further comprising: remoteaccessibility.
 8. The luggage security system according to claim 1,further comprising: the fastening member capable of transmittinginformation gathered from the camera.
 9. The luggage security systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: the zipper pull and retainingfastener being linked to a user account and interactive computersoftware.
 10. The luggage security system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: the fastening member being lockable.
 11. A luggage securitysystem, comprising: a piece of luggage having an open and closedposition; a latch member having a power supply and a touch sensorcapable of detecting a human being touching the latch member; aninterior retaining fastener, the retaining fastener further including: apower supply; being adapted to connect with interior retaining straps; acamera capable of capturing a plurality of images and video of theoutside environment when the piece of luggage is in the open position;an awake mode in which the camera captures the plurality of images andvideo; a sleep mode in which the camera does not capture images orvideo; a communication system capable of communicating with the latchmember; and the latch member having a communication system capableadjusting the fastening member's power mode to awake when the latchmember has been touched by a human being.
 12. The luggage securitysystem according to claim 11, further comprising: the fastening memberhaving a GPS.
 13. The luggage security system according to claim 12,further comprising: the fastening member capable of transmitting GPSinformation.
 14. The luggage security system according to claim 11,further comprising: the latch member having a GPS.
 15. The luggagesecurity system according to claim 14, further comprising: the touchsensor adapted to activate the GPS when touched by a human being. 16.The luggage security system according to claim 14, further comprising:the latch member adapted to transmit GPS information.
 17. The luggagesecurity system according to claim 11, further comprising: remoteaccessibility.
 18. The luggage security system according to claim 11,further comprising: the fastening member capable of transmittinginformation gathered from the camera.
 19. The luggage security systemaccording to claim 11, further comprising: the latch member andretaining fastener being linked to a user account and interactivecomputer software.
 20. A luggage security system, comprising: a piece ofluggage having an open and closed position; a zipper pull having a touchsensor capable of detecting a human being touching the zipper pull, aGPS and a power supply; an interior retaining fastener, the retainingfastener further including: a power supply; being adapted to communicatewith interior retaining straps to aid in securing the contents of thepiece of luggage; being lockable; a camera capable of capturing aplurality of images and video of the outside environment when the pieceof luggage is in the open position; an awake mode in which the cameracaptures the plurality of images and video; a sleep mode in which thecamera does not capture images or video; a communication system capableof communicating with the zipper pull; a touch sensor that switches theretaining fastener to awake mode when the touch sensor detects a humanbeing touching the retaining fastener; the zipper pull having acommunication system capable of adjusting the fastening member's powermode to awake when the zipper pull has been touched by a human being;and the fastening member and zipper pull adapted to transmit gatheredinformation.